“Providing access to medicines for very small groups of patients is a shared responsibility. It is encouraging that so many suppliers have stepped up and engaged with Pharmac to develop new funding options.

“I look forward to Pharmac concluding negotiations over the next few months so that New Zealanders can gain benefits from these medicines.”

Pharmac has identified up to $5 million per year for the next five years for funding a rare disorders contestable pilot. Proposals from suppliers were sought in August 2014.

Each medicine funding proposal will be subject to public consultation. The first decisions are likely to be made in mid 2015.

Selwyn Manning, BCS (Hons.) MCS (Hons.) is an investigative political journalist with 23 years media experience. He specializes in reportage and analysis of socioeconomics, politics, foreign affairs, and security/intelligence issues.
Selwyn has extensive experience as a commentator and has provided live political analysis to a wide range of television and radio organizations broadcasting in New Zealand, Australia and globally including the BBC (Five Live, London) and BBC (World Service). He is currently a correspondent to Australia's FiveAA radio, and is a regular live-on-air panelist on Radio New Zealand's The Panel with broadcaster Jim Mora.